Packaging and single application dispensing device

ABSTRACT

A device for packaging and dispensing creamlike materials such as butter, margarine and the like using a compressible collapsible member having a flap formed across one end thereof and an anchor ridge around the collapsible member at a predetermined spaced distance in from the flap to facilitate manipulation and operation of the dispensing device.

United States Patent Inventor Richard F. Jeppesen 2302 N. 27th St.. Phoenix. Ariz. 85008 747,386

July 24, 1968 June 1, 1971 Appl. No. Filed Patented PACKAGING-AND SINGLE APPLICATION DISPENSING DEVICE 1 Claim, 3 Drawing Figs.

U.S.Cl 222/107, 222/541 Int. Cl 865d 35/44 Field of Search 222/206,

2l0, 2l5, 92, 95,107, 49l, 494', 206/56 M, 56 G; 2l5/l.5; 128/232, 23]

I56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3.029987 4/l962 (ironemeyer... 222/S4l 3.2l5.l42 ll/l965 Buonomml 128/232 FOREIGN PATENTS 510,400 10/1952 Belgium 206/(56M) Primary ExaminerRobert B. Reeves Assistant ExaminerDavid A. Scherbel AttorneyWillard L. Groene ABSTRACT: A device for packaging and dispensing creamlike materials such as butter, margarine and the like using a compressible collapsible member having a flap formed across one end thereof and an anchor ridge around the collapsible member at a predetermined spaced distance in from the flap to facilitate manipulation and operation of the dispensing device.

PACKAGING AND SINGLE APPLICATION DISPENSING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. The field of this invention lies in packaging and dispensing, and more particularly to devices for the packaging and serving of patties of butter and the like.

2. Butter patties at present are made by two methods. A thin V4 inch block of chilled hard butter is scored into planular divisions that circumscribe the outline of each patty. They remain attached to each other within theblock until the time of consumption and are then broken apart along the division or score lines. With the above methods, it is necessary, before serving the patties in the dining room to separate each patty from its aggregate so that it may be individually served. Such separation is done by hand because this is the most expeditious and the safest way of doing it. Never-the-less, human hands come in contact with the butter. Such contact is frowned upon by sanitary authorities, and in some instances they prohibit it. In addition to the problem of sanitation, there is the problem of time. Speed of service, especially with a food like butter that melts at room temperatures, is highly important. The problem is compounded because mealtime in eating establishments is a very critical time. Thus, considerable time is wasted in preparing the butter patties for consumption. To avoid crowding at mealtime and the necessity for special parttime help, some institutional-managements arrange to have their personnel place butter patties on small patty plates during nonmealtime hours of the day. Other institutions pay a fifteen to twenty-five percent premium for butter patties which have been separated and placed on individual paper plates at the place of patty manufacture.

From the standpoint of the consumer, the parchment cover which is placed on each patty must be removed before the patty is accessible. Should the butter be soft, the stripping off of the cover is difficult because butter clings to it and the diner has to scrape off the butter if it is to be salvaged for use. At the same time the appearance of the patty is spoiled. Holding and manipulating the light paper plate with its upturned edges during the removal of the butter is a difficult and often irritating job.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to overcome the above mentioned difficulties.

A further objective is to provide a totally new and different way of packaging, dispensing and shaping material like butter patties.

A further object of this invention is to be able to package aggregate groups of the device in such a manner as to provide a different way of dispensing, manufacturing, and shipping large quantities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of the dispensing device incorporating the features of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a front discharge end elevation of the device shown in FIG. 1 with the end flap in open position.

FIG. 3 is a view, similar to FIG. I, showing the device in partially dispensed position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As an example of one embodiment of this invention, there is shown a dispensing device for packaging and dispensing creamlikematerials such as butter, margarine and the like comprising a tubular body member 10, which may be formed with any one of several cross-sectional configurations, having a flap 11 formed across one end and hinged at 12 to the body 10. Flap 11 may be releaseably sealed to body member 10 by suitable means which is ruptured when the device is used. An anchor ridge reinforced ring 13 encompassing the tubular member 10 is positioned a predetermined distance away from the end 14 across which said flap 11 extends so that the volume represented in the drawing by numbers 15 and 16 in FIG. 1 are related so that the area represented by number 15 is equal to or greater than the volume represented by number 16. The other end of body 10 is formed with a reduced crosssectional area, such as the cone shaped portion 17, to facilitate picking up the container and to also compress it in such a manner as represented in FIG. 3, so that upon complete collapse of the tubular body member 10 to the left of the anchor ring 13 point 18 becomes generally flattened against the rear of the container. When full compression of the device takes place point 18 is compressed against the reinforced ring 13 at point 19 so that the contained material will be from the device displaced. This compressing action causes the contained material as shown in FIG. 3 to extend out of the device sufficiently far enough to cause the material under its own weight to separate from the device. The purpose of the ridge 13 is to provide an anchoring point for the fingers of the user and also to provide a shield or a barrier to help insure that the user does not grip the device too close to the end across which the flap 11 extends.

The device is formed of .a suitable pliable, deformable material. The contents packaged within the device is dispensed therefrom by applying a pressure about the external surface at or about point 18. The pressure would generally be applied by the thumb of the user, placing the thumb at point 18. The application of this pressure forces the material contained within the package out through the end 14 over which the flap extends. Upon the application of this pressure, the flap ll pivots outwardly to the position shown in FIG. 3, thereby permitting the material therein to be extruded outwardly of the device. The operator places his thumb at point 18 and a finger along each side of the device at the ridge 13 so that compressing point 18 toward point 19 will flatten the conical end 17, and continued pressure at the point 20 will eject the contents 2] of the device past the protective flap 11 for use by the operator.

While the apparatus herein disclosed and described constitutes a preferred form of the invention, it is also to be understood that the apparatus is capable of mechanical alteration without departing from the spirit of the invention and that such mechanical arrangement and commercial adaptation as fall within the scope of the appendant claims are intended to be included herein.

I claim:

1. A packaging and single application dispensing device comprising in combination:

A. a hollow body member of pliable collapsible material having a discharge opening at one end thereof;

B. a flap hinged to the discharge opening end of the body member providing a releaseable closure for the discharge opening;

C. an anchor ring formed on the outer periphery of the body member parallel to and closely adjacent the discharge opening end of the body member;

D. a collapsible closure formed on the opposite end of the body member from the discharge opening end; and

E. said collapsible closure being a cone-shaped closure. 

1. A packaging and single application dispensing device comprising in combination: A. a hollow body member of pliable collapsible material having a discharge opening at one end thereof; B. a flap hinged to the discharge opening end of the body member providing a releaseable closure for the discharge opening; C. an anchor ring formed on the outer periphery of the body member parallel to and closely adjacent the discharge opening end of the body member; D. a collapsible closure formed on the opposite end of the body member from the discharge opening end; and E. said collapsible closure being a cone-shaped closure. 